U.S. Citizenship Test Set to Become More Challenging

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is set to implement a more challenging U.S. Citizenship Test for naturalization applicants. This decision arises from changes made during the Trump administration, aiming to ensure that only fully assimilated immigrants become citizens.

New Requirements for U.S. Citizenship

Effective October 20, the upcoming civics test will require applicants to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, an increase from the previous requirement of 6 out of 10. Moreover, the pool of questions will expand from 100 to 128, incorporating more complex topics.

Test Difficulty Increased

• The previous test included straightforward queries, such as naming the governor of an applicant’s home state.
• New questions will focus on significant historical events, including:
• Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
• What motivated the U.S. to enter the Vietnam War?

The complexity of questions aims to discern an applicant’s understanding of U.S. history, government, and civic responsibilities. Critics argue that this shift places additional burdens on immigrants, potentially stalling the naturalization process for many.

Additional Requirements for Applicants

In addition to passing the civics test, applicants must now demonstrate “good moral character” through evidence of their positive contributions to society. This marks a shift from previous requirements, where a clean criminal record sufficed.

Scrutiny of Backgrounds

Immigration officers will also conduct more thorough background checks. This might include interviewing family members, co-workers, or neighbors to assess an applicant’s moral character. These heightened measures introduce further uncertainties in the naturalization process.

Implications of the Changes

Advocates assisting prospective citizens express concern over the implications of these changes. Many believe that individuals with lower literacy levels or limited access to preparation resources may struggle to meet the new requirements. Julie Mitchell, an advocate from the Central American Resource Center, noted that this could lead to a decline in successful naturalization cases.

Expert Opinions

USCIS officials, including Director Joseph Edlow, argue that the existing test is “too easy” and does not adequately reflect an applicant’s connection to U.S. values. However, some immigration law experts challenge the necessity of these stricter standards. Amanda Frost, a law professor, emphasizes the lack of evidence suggesting that current naturalization processes allow ineligible individuals to become citizens.

The changes to the U.S. Citizenship Test underscore a significant shift in immigration policy, prioritizing stringent evaluations for prospective citizens. As these new rules take effect, the landscape of U.S. naturalization will become increasingly complex.